S&NUK to roll out alcohol-unit glasses

Scottish & Newcastle UK is to be the first major brewer to carry alcohol unit information on all its glassware.

S&NUK plans to deliver more than 1.8m Foster's pint glasses featuring unit information by next March, in a £2m investment.

The aim is to have 4m glasses with unit information rolled out across all S&NUK's beer and cider brands by the end of 2010.

S&NUK brands director Mark Given said: "The industry is always under focus to do more and we are al-ways looking at ways to build in a responsible drinking message.

"It seemed logical that [unit information] has been included in packaged products for five years and we should extend it to draught.

"The message from Government is they welcome responsible messages and we will continue to push that. We think self-regulation is the way to go. We very much hope that [others] will follow and it will help consumers become more educated about unit levels."

The current Foster's glass has been in market since 2002 and Given said: "After detailed trade and consumer research, we are confident that the new glass with enamel nucleation will provide a pint of the Amber Nectar that looks lively, creates excellent head retention and delivers a superior drinking experience."

The new glasses were trialled among 500 drinkers. "The message that came back was [about] a really great pint every time. Standards have broadly got better, but they said you can still get a ropey pint."

Given said the roll-out of Foster's glasses would be prioritised at loyal customers and high-volume outlets, with an aim to get them across the trade by March.

Although S&N is the first brewer to plan a blanket rollout of glassware featuring unit information, Diageo did so earlier this year for a limited number of Guinness glasses.